riddle of the mysterion

What lies beyond the furthest reaches of the sky?
That which leads the lost child back into its mother's arms;
Exile.

The waves that stain the land in gold;
The breath of blessings that nurtures life;
The land of wheat.

The path upon which the angels walk;
Thou art the path of great winds;
The Grand Stream.

What lies beyond the furthest reaches of memory?
Where everything is born and to where everything returns;
The blue star.<

- Last Exile

... of Anime

Anime - A style of animation developed in Japan characterized by stylised art. Comparative to art, it is able to relate experiences that have comed to pass, emotions that are, and feelings that could be.

Ah yes, the subtle difference between cartoon and anime has finally been cleared up. Or is it?

It is an unfortunate situation that anime has been undermined by many. Mistaken views of what exactly anime is about is a major hindrance to the actual development of anime in multiple regions. Anger grabs the passionate, who catches the wisp of saying “Anime is just a Japanese word for Cartoon”.

Ignorance is at hand here, folks. Had I been a better player in theatres, it would have been drowned by Shakespeareans curses. Or perhaps if I turned out to love insult comics, it would have been drowned by ‘Poop’. (For the curious, I’m referring to Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.) Yet I don’t. Once again, the reason for that is ignorance. (Don’t mistake what I say, for ignorance is neither a good nor bad thing. It happens.)

What? Is the bochup attitude at hand here? Then how is it that the anime culture is able to better penetrate Singapore society rather than other societies?

Being exposed to large number of influences, it seems Singaporeans will be blind to many influences, including the anime culture. You can’t expect a person to love Vietnam movies, Chinese songs, Japanese anime, French poems, Mongolian folk songs and perhaps another 10 different countries’ influence.

And no! I’m not defending these people from passionates. Being ignorant is not a bad thing, but it does not approve the right to negative comments. Learn, and stop your excuse of being ignorant. The anime culture is no longer just a simple influence that will die out soon. It has proven itself to be a considerable impact on multiple cultures (including Singapore, of course). Once again, our all power counterpart, the US has it own worry of the anime industry affecting it’s own animation industry. Look at Disney, and you’ll understand. Underestimating it, and don’t be surprised when it comes as a blow to the head. Emulation upon the anime has started. Emulation of style, of story, of values leading the way of the cultures.

... of dreams

At what point in life does a person decide that he should stop dreaming?

Try this. The next time you’re on the train, or perhaps even the lecture hall, look at the person to the left, and look at the person at the right. I am willing to bet that only 1 of you have a dream. 1 in 3! Heck, the statistics may show less than that… Sad.

And when I mean a Dream, I’m not talking about getting a degree and a stable job. I’m talking about the real stuff, like traveling the world, making a change in someone’s life. It need not be a sacrifice. It doesn’t have to take a lot of money to achieve. Outrageous would be closer, but that is called a dream.

And yet, when you actually think about it, it is nobody’s fault that people are deprived of dreams. Reality, is a cruel word. It is more likely that people are forced under circumstances. How can an orphan dream of having a happy family? How can a starving child dream of having all the riches in the world? Any nuance of dreams, they are snapped back by pain on the emotional and physical level. Dream too long, they are condemned doomed.

Ah? Those are the worst-case scenarios, you say? Come, let’s take an example closer to us - Singapore. How many students can dream big? I mean really big. Going to the moon? Not exciting. Travelling the world? No point. Creating a really big business? Too much risk. Picky, or just altered not to?

What’s in a dream, but hopelessness to many? Since it comes to the point where we do not get what we dream. It is true, and that’s why we are often knocked down by others. “It is futile.” “Don’t waste your time.” And yet eventually, they do not realize that it is in the adventure that we dreamers seek out for. Can you understand the excitement we have for life? Can you understand the romance in this pursuit? Then you will understand why we always get back to our beaten-off path.

What romance are you going for today?

it's only a fairy tale

Who are those little girls in pain
Just trapped in castle of dark side of moon,
Twelve of them shining bright in vain
Like flowers that blossom just once in years.

They're dancing in the shadow like whispers of love
Just dreaming of a place where they're free as dove,
They've never been allowed to love in this cursed cage
It's only the fairy tale they believe.

- Alyssa Searrs

... of "banzai!"

Ee ja nai ka!

"What the hell?" I said. Not to be taking a sudden interest in Japanese, but taking a big response to a mindless game show that Central actually aired every Monday 9:30pm. (Ironically I know the details so well.)

"Banzai!", for those who is clueless about what I'm refering to, is hosted by Japanese "fun-wanna-be"s, and it proposes both everyday and unusual situations to the viewers, and offers different guesses to what the meaningless outcome would be. Why would anyone guess how much this guy is going to sell his chicken pattie? Why would anyone try to predict how long can this guy shake the artiste's hands? And I ain't gonna deduce how long the biscuit can be dipped into a cup of coffee before it breaks off!

This show, originally aired in UK in 2003 (which FOX will buy over in a year later in Feb), was targetting these English families and/or friends to come together to wager against each other, and supposedly having created fun. Perhaps it has allowed television to reach a new level of interaction. Perhaps, I say, since the more subtle reason is providing what they need - interaction. Pessimistic way of seeing things, or simply just biased? Maybe, but I sure ain't biased. (2 eyes, 2 ears, 1 nose, 1 mouth. Yup! We're the same!)

For those who wants to know, here's the real reason for such a show, or so I say. Know that the Japanese has gambling as a big part of their lives. No, not 4-D or Toto, dumb dumb. I'm talking Pachinko, a slot like machine available throughout Japan. Very popular among the working class, many believing it as a form of 'stress removal'. The attempt to translate this gambling habit into a game show results in "Banzai!". Or so I say.

This is no advertisement to deter anyone from watching it. Freedom of right and choice. But take my advice, don't watch it alone. I should know.

HEY! I AIN'T JUDGING YOU!

rozen maiden

Unto me bind the necklace of rose,
I'll hold the silver chain in my mouth.
Yet another will perish tonight,I despise you.
Kneel down and lick the bitter drops of love,
My mischievous servant.

In the days and months of myself,
My heart still beats.
Moonlight shines on torn wings,
As they shake to life again.
Solitude is more frightening than darkness.
Let's prove our promises before the Cross,
With our desire.

Remove the manacles of rose,
Put them on our white wrists.
It is the miracle of touching each other.
I adore you.
Kneel down and offer yourself.
The painful words of love are
Absorbed into the gauze of the new arabeque.

- Rozen Maiden